Aidan O’Brien targeting place in history with Racing Post Trophy quartet
Epsom Derby joint-favourites Saxon Warrior and The Pentagon give Aidan O'Brien a strong hand as he attempts to break Bobby Frankel's world record at Doncaster.
EPSOM DERBY favourites Saxon Warrior and The Pentagon head an Aidan O'Brien quartet as the Ballydoyle master seeks to break the world record for the number of Group One winners in a year on Saturday.
On Champions Day at Ascot last weekend, O'Brien drew level with the late Bobby Frankel with a 25th top level victory this year and now he has his sights set on an astonishing 26th Group One winner of 2017 in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.
Ryan Moore rides 15/8 favourite Saxon Warrior, with Seamie Heffernan (The Pentagon), Donnacha O'Brien (Seahenge) and Wayne Lordan (Coat Of Arms) taking up the remaining rides on the Ballydoyle contingent.
"Saxon Warrior seems to be in good form since Naas. Hopefully the ground will be nice there," said O'Brien.
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Despite the obvious potential of the Ballydoyle youngsters, Jim Bolger's Verbal Dexterity heads into the race boasting the best form as the only Group One winner in the field.
He missed the Dewhurst due to a dirty scope, but Bolger is confident he is ready for the test and he is to be joined by stablemate Theobald in the race.
"I'm very much looking forward to it," said Bolger. "Obviously he couldn't run in the Dewhurst because his scope wasn't 100 per cent, but he's ready again now. The ground looks like being good so there's no problems on that score.
"Hopefully he'll win again, we'll give it our best shot."
John Gosden's unbeaten Roaring Lion heads the home fancies and could give Qatar Racing another win in the race, three years after Elm Park was successful for them.
Racing manager David Redvers told www.qatarracingltd.com: "He seems to have improved throughout the season. We had the option of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, but Mr Gosden felt very strongly that if the ground at Doncaster was reasonable then he would like to go there.
"We won the race with Elm Park three years ago and had a great day up there. Roaring Lion is very different to Elm Park, but goes to Doncaster with a stronger chance, if anything. I'm very optimistic."
Charlie Appleby has supplemented the once-raced Loxley, whilst Martyn Meade's Listed winner Chilean, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Gabr, David Elsworth's Merlin Margic and Bryan Smart's Alfa McGuire make up the remainder of the 12-runner field.